The cats in the new Cat Colony in the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital may not know it, but they are providing an important and vital service to their fellow felines.
“For years there has been a national shortage of canine and feline blood products,” said Dr. April Blong, clinical associate professor and a board-certified emergency and critical care specialist. “This is more challenging with cats as they generally more stressed with transport to the hospital.”
The Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital has come up with a solution with their new Cat Colony Room. At any one time, up to six cats will reside in the specially built room. The cats will be adopted from local shelter/rescue groups and after full health screening to make sure it is safe for them to donate blood as well as their blood being safe to transfuse to other cats. The cats will donate blood for two years.
After they “retire,” the cats will be eligible for adoption to their forever homes.
“By having these cats in the hospital, there will be more cats that can donate and be available when we have those peak blood need scenarios,” Blong said. “It also prevents us from having to call in a cat and owner in the middle of the night if we have an urgent need for fresh blood.”
The new Cat Colony room was specifically designed. It consists of two windows with perches where the cats can see outside their room. The room also utilizes the vertical space which helps cats feel secure. They also have multiple perches, climbing areas and automatic litter boxes.
Funding for the facility has been provided by a generous donor to the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital.
The room is open to faculty, staff and students during daytime hours which will give the cats companionship. This is also an important destressor for humans working in the hospitals – it gives them a change to take a break from the emotional toll of caring for sick patients.
“These cats help serve the hospital and the broader community,” Blong said. “We owe it to them to give them good lives during their time with us.”
The Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital blood donor program was established in 1988. There are currently 12 volunteer cats and 30 donor dogs in the program.
The blood products are used by veterinarians for a variety of reasons including anemia or low red blood cell level as well as blood clotting issues.
“Patients with severe trauma or major surgery can experience significant amounts of blood loss that needs to then be replaced,” Blong said. “As a tertiary referral center, the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital is one of the few locations in Iowa that have or are able to give blood products.
“Because of this we receive a lot of patients that have need for blood products.”
October 2025
